WHERE THERE'S SMOKE THERE'S IRE

A Government staff member and a journalist are under investigation after
being found in Parliament's debating chamber with a smell of cannabis in the
air.

Security staff have begun an inquiry into claims that Alliance researcher
Steve Collett and political journalist Alistair Thompson lit a joint in the
House after the press gallery Christmas party on Wednesday night.

The Speaker, Jonathan Hunt, said last night that he had also asked for a
report into the incident after several MPs raised it during the closing
adjournment debate.

Act leader Richard Prebble named Mr Collett in Parliament, claiming the
incident proved the Government had no respect for the rule of law.

National MP Gerry Brownlee told Parliament he smelled marijuana in the
building about midnight.

He had "followed the smell" - which he recognised from attending cannabis
burnings at police stations as an MP - and saw two people going into the
debating chamber.

He alerted a security guard and about half an hour later was told by the
guard that the "two offenders" had been found in the chamber and appropriate
action had been taken.

Thompson refused to answer questions about the matter last night, saying he
was not aware of any investigation. Mr Collett could not be contacted.

It is understood the pair have denied smoking cannabis in the chamber, but
say Thompson was smoking a cigarette when they went into it.